Benjamin van Loon

About Benjamin van Loon

Fourth generation Chicagoan. Association leader. Award-winning designer, editor, and comms guy. Former professor.// I want to see more housing, more bikes, more art, and more common sense-I\'m a strategy architect and communications chief focused on special programs and organizational solutions for global associations, public-private partnerships, agencies, and nonprofits. Skilled in entrepreneurial leadership, integrated communications strategy, creative direction, editing and publishing, reputation management, and doing a lot with a little.Experienced across economic development, commercial real estate, global investment, urbanism, architecture, and design - with a preference for good governance and fact-based, future-focused problem-solving-Chicago Council on Global Affairs Emerging Leader (2024). Association Forum \"Forty Under 40\"(2023). Ragan\'s/PR Daily \"Editor of the Year\"(2021). American Business Awards Communications Professional of the Year (2021). GlobeSt/Real Estate Forum \"Top Influencer in Commercial Real Estate Marketing\"(2020).

Experience

1. Managing Director

   Afire

   Sep 2022 — Present · Alexandria, VA, US

   Established in 1988 and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, the Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association representing 180+ member organizations (including institutional investors, pension funds, HNW offices, investment managers, etc.) from 25 countries, with approximately $3 trillion AUMI oversee thought leadership, integrated marketing communications, and event strategy, and other special projects for AFIRE and am responsible for creative strategy, marketing, communications, event production, content development and management (mobile apps, social media, website, podcast), research design, and strategic partnerships.I\'m also Editor-in-Chief, Summit Journal, the official publication of AFIRE, specializing in economics, ESG, management, and urbanism. Oversees editorial direction, design, and overall peer review administration. Awarded nine top awards, including 2021 AVA Digital Platinum Award, 2020 Graphic Design USA Award, and 2020 MarCom Platinum Award- 2021 Ragan\'s/PR Daily, Editor of the Year- 2021 Silver Stevie/American Business Award, Communications Professional of the Year- 2021 AVA Digital Platinum Award, Individual Achievement in Communications- 2020 GlobeSt/Real Estate Forum Top Marketing Influencer in Commercial Real Estate

Education

• University of Chicago

  Certificate in Editing

• Western Governors University

  Bachelor of Science, Accounting

• Northeastern Illinois University

  Master of Arts, Communication and Media

• North Park University

  Bachelor of Arts, English and Philosophy (Double Major)

Skills

• Newsletters
• Social Media Marketing
• Freelance Writing
• Writing
• Publications
• Indesign
• Press Releases
• Editorial
• Public Relations
• Proofreading
• Marketing
• Copy Editing
• Creative Writing
• Copywriting
• Journalism
• Blogging
• Content Management
• Proposal Support
• Editorial Consulting
• Fundraising
• Social Networking
• Books
• Editing
• Publishing
• Proposal Writing
• Fact-Checking
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Magazines
• Marketing Communications
• Chicago Manual of Style
• Social Media
• Grant Writing